MetaFlow is a tool for creating flow network diagrams, also known as Sankey diagrams. Metaphorically, the diagrams depict a set of tubes through which fluid flows. Each tube runs between two stages in the flow, and connects with other tubes at one of the junctions located within each stage. The width of a tube is an indication of the amount of fluid passing through it per unit time.
MetaFlow is an excellent tool for representing the various systems that comprise urban metabolism, including energy, food, water, waste, transportation and communications. MetaFlow diagrams provide a whole-system view that elucidates the dependencies and relative importance of component processes. MetaFlow is also applicable in many other contexts, such as factory planning, Web analytics or finance.
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